Khan triumphs over Barrera

Amir Khan triumphed by a fifth round technical decision after Marco Antonio Barrera suffered a gruesome cut early in their lightweight bout at the MEN Arena in Manchester on Saturday.

It was Khan's most significant win of his 21-fight professional career and earned him the World Boxing Association (WBA) International and World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Inter-Continental lightweight titles.

But more importantly this victory revives the Englishman's career as a top contender after a clash of heads in the opening round opened up a nasty cut on Barrera's forehead. Despite a cut deciding the outcome of the fight, Khan was dominant throughout.

Khan, 22, ensured there was no repeat of the same outcome the last time he fought at this venue, when he was stopped in 54 seconds by Colombia's Breidis Prescott for the first defeat of his professional career after winning a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics.

Tight defence

Khan's defence was tight and he caught Barrera with a slashing left in the opening session, although it was an accidental clash of heads that opened the cut.

Former three-weight world champion Barrera, 35, suffered a cut eye in his last fight in Mexico on January 31 which caused the fight to be stopped. And it was the same outcome again despite the Mexican bravely battling on, blood gushing from his wound.

The Englishman has relocated his training camps to America, where he prepares with coach Freddie Roach in Los Angeles. The improvement was clear as Khan darted in and out of range and peppered Barrera with his slick combinations.

Technical decision

After unrelenting pressure, referee Dave Parris stopped the fight leaving the judges to rule in his favour 50-45, 50-45 and 50-44 and award him the fight by technical decision.

Roman Martinez was crowned WBO super-featherweight champion after stopping Nicky Cook in the fourth round on the same bill.

Undefeated Martinez, 26, recovered from being rocked by a left in the second round to floor Cook twice in the fourth.

The Englishman, who was making his first defence of the world title, first sank down the ropes after being caught by a left to the head, but beat the count.

MANCHESTER, England, Sunday, AFP